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Ideas wanted for a shade loving climber that flower
Stacey Docherty
Posts: 1,759
in Plants
I have a shed in full shade I am hoping to plant a climber up the side to hide its plastic ugliness a little!!!! I would like something that flowers any ideas???
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I don't know if it would take shade, but hydrangea petiolaris grows well on a north facing wall. It has pretty creamy white flowers.
Hydrangea petiolaris is the climber for shade as it grows well on north facing sites. It gets quite big though so you'd need to keep it in check.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As usual you never fail to give fantastic advice.i will look into it I was wondering if any clematis would like it but I don't think it would i love hydrangeas
There are lots of clematis that will grow perfectly happily in shade or on North facing walls etc. The problem is choosing from the hundreds that are suitable!
I would try Clematis Montana Ive planted them in problem areas.Ive planted them in paving flags.For a fast solution like bare walls Ive found them ideal
Denboy I actually took a cutting off a very spectacular Montana ( with permission) am just about to pot it up so seeing as its free may give it a go!
I know it doesn't flower but I have a lovely vine that turns bright red in autumn - it can look sensational but I'm aware it's not everybody's cup of tea as it can be quite prolific - but I have it in a large wooden tub and it grows up a trellis and hides my shed. I read it should be in a sunnier spot but it grows well in its shady corner. I agree too with the suggestion of montana. I just adore it, it's a prolific flowerer and yes the climbing hydrangea definately likes a shady spot.
Montana will get too big for a small shed. You'll need to provide a support such as netting, trellis or wires to support a climber as they can't cling to a plastic shed but you could then go for an evergreen variegated ivy which will give year round interest and flower eventually when it's mature enough - important food for insects and birds at a difficult time of year.
There are evergreen clems too which will look better than montana in winter - cirhhosa and armandii varieties are good. There's also honeysuckle to consider - Lonicera × brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet' is semi evergreen. Lonicera sempervirens is evergreen. Both will tolerate partial shade so, as long as your north facing shed isn't in too dark a corner, might be worth trying. They are good hosts for beneficial insects and provide nectar for butterflies.
Obelixx I am going to put some netting over the shed side..... I am leaning osedge side of a clematis as I already have a fantastic honeysuckle over the arch from the top garden into the wooded area ( makes my garden sound huge lol it's long and narrow!) will check those clematis options out!!
Clematis will be great Stacey, the only disadvantage is that most are not evergreen, but you could always have ivy for year round cover and plant clematis nearby for spring/summer colour which can use the ivy as a support. As obelixx says, the montanas are a bit rampant so the 'usual' types would be a better bet for your situation. Loads to choose from!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...